Uttarakhand: Tehri dam brims over, North India under flood threat

Monsoon is taking a devastating shape in Uttarakhand. Incessant rain in the hill state that triggered floods and landslides, killing over 50 people, has put the Tehri dam under severe threat. Water level in the reservoir touched an alarming 828.85- metre mark on Sunday.

Once it crosses the danger mark of 830 metres, the automatic water discharge system will activate and that could lead to heavy flooding in downstream towns such as Rishikesh and Haridwar. The water level was likely to cross the 830- metre mark by midnight.

Considering the danger, the Tehri administration shifted people from six villages downstream to safer locations. Tehri district magistrate Radhika Jha said: " There is no need to panic. We have shifted the villagers to ensure that there is no loss of life." The flood threat is looming large over the villages on the bank of Bhagirathi where it meets the Alaknanda to form the Ganga.

The Koteshwar dam is located about 10 kms downstream of the Tehri dam. Tehri dam's general manager ( projects) A. L. Shah said, " The dam is safe and there is no need to worry." Chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has sought Rs 5,000 crore as flood relief from the Centre.

The army is assisting the state government in evacuating villages that were flooded by the surging Ganga waters. A National Disaster Response Force company has reached the affected zone.

The chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, asking him to intervene and help the state tide over the grim situation.

According to reports emanating from the state, several villages in Haridwar were submerged in flood water.

Twenty- four villages have been evacuated so far. Pokhriyal held a meeting with the army to evacuate the other areas threatened by the floods.

In Delhi, Swaraj said the Prime Minister has assured her and the state government of all possible help. " He said he has asked the cabinet secretary to coordinate with the state government and take immediate measures," Swaraj said.